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Nigel Taylor from Life Saving Victoria noted there have been more shark sightings this summer compared with previous years.

"There are more sharks there than we have seen for three or four years," he said.

Despite the shark sightings, the world's largest open water swim event Pier to Pub went ahead at Lorne on Saturday.

"There's been no need to call off the event. The club would have done that if there were any sightings of a shark within a kilometre of where the race was taking place," Mr Taylor said.

Fisheries Victoria said it was possible the shark sightings were due to increased schools of bait fish in waters close to shore, which could be linked to extra nutrients in runoff from storms in November.

"Whatever is bringing them in, it's important to know that it's a natural phenomenon and it's likely to continue," Mr Dowling said.